 |
|
 |
|
Curtiss HS2-L
Although not built or designed in Canada, the Curtiss HS2-L played a significant role in Canadian aviation history. The first HS2-Ls in Canada were 12 left over from the United States Naval Air Station in Halifax at the end of the First World War and were subsequently donated to the Government of Canada. The RCAF would eventually use most of these aircraft plus an additional 12 purchased later, operating them to perform in various roles, including aerial photography and anti-rum, customs and fisheries patrols until 1928 when the last HS2-Ls were retired.
Of the 12 donated aircraft, the Laurentide Paper Company requested two aircraft for use in its logging operations. Under what became the Laurentide Air Service, the HS2-L went on to pioneer a number of firsts in Canada including the use of aircraft to spot forest fires and aerial photograph. Perhaps more important was the delivery of mail by air and the first regular passenger service, demonstrating the viability of aircraft performing these services.
A major user of the HS2-L was the Ontario Provincial Air Service, which began operations in 1924 with 14 aircraft, eventually operating 20. These aircraft allowed the fledgling service to make an accurate survey of forestry resources and were subsequently used in many roles, the major one being fire protection operations. Many smaller operators, such as Canadian Airways and Pacific Airways, also used the HS2-L to fly passengers, especially prospectors and surveyors, into remote locations as well as transport high-value freight.
The HS2-L was not an efficient aircraft for bush flying; however, it did prove that the aircraft could be used for myriad purposes in the north and helped pioneer many routes and roles. It therefore retains a unique place in Canadian aviation.
